Effects of LI11 Acupuncture on CO2 reactivity in the anterior and middle cerebral arteries during hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia in normal subjects: A before and after study

Objectives: The LI11 (Quchi) acupuncture point has always been included in the Seven acupoints for stroke; however, additional LI11 acupuncture research is needed. In this study, the effect of LI11 acupuncture on cerebral blood flow of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) and middle cerebral arteries (MCA) was investigated.Method: This study included 10 healthy young male subjects. Cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity were measured using transcranial Doppler sonography. Changes in hyperventilation-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) reactivity and modified ACA and MCA blood flow velocity at 40 mmHg (CV40), blood pressure, and heart rate were observed before and after LI11 acupuncture treatment.Results: A statistically significant increase in contralateral anterior cerebral artery CO2 reactivity (p=0.036) and decrease in contralateral middle cerebral artery CV40 (p=0.047) were observed. No significant difference in mean blood pressure was shown. A statistically significant increase in heart rate occurred after LI11 acupuncture; however, it was not clinically significant as there were negligible changes in the heart rhythm.Conclusions: LI11 acupuncture treatment could improve cerebral blood flow velocity. These results might be explained by regulating endothelium-dependent vessel dilation in the anterior cerebral artery region.Trial registration: This trial has been registered with Clinical Research Information Service, a service of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: KCT0004494 (retrospectively registered). https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=15359

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Effects of GV14 Acupuncture on Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity in the Basilar and Middle Cerebral Arteries and CO2 Reactivity during Hypercapnia in Normal Individuals

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/9319413 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Hyun Ku Lee ◽

Sang-Kwan Moon ◽

Chul Jin ◽

Seung-Yeon Cho ◽

Seong-Uk Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

Flow Velocity ◽

Blood Flow Velocity ◽

Cerebral Arteries ◽

Transcranial Doppler Sonography ◽

Cerebrovascular Reactivity ◽

Acupuncture Points ◽

Co2 Reactivity ◽

Middle Cerebral Arteries

The Governing Vessel 14 (GV14) (Dazhui) is one of the acupuncture points referred to as “seven acupoints for stroke.” Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of research on the effects of acupuncture treatment at GV14. This study investigated the effects of acupuncture at GV14 on cerebral blood flow (CBF), especially that in the basilar artery (BA) and the middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Sixteen healthy men aged 20 to 29 years were enrolled in this study. CBF velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) were measured using transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). The following were assessed: closed circuit rebreathing- (CCR-) induced carbon dioxide (CO2) reactivity, modified blood flow velocity at 40 mmHg (CV40) on BA and MCAs, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). Observed results were obtained after comparison with the baseline evaluation. Statistically significant elevations in CO2 reactivity were recorded in the BA (3.28 to 4.70, p < 0.001 ) and MCAs (right: 3.81 to 5.25, p = 0.001 ; left: 3.84 to 5.12, p = 0.005 ) after acupuncture at GV14. The CV40 increased statistically significantly only in the BA (45.49 to 50.41, p = 0.003 ). No change was observed in BP (106.83 to 107.08 (mmHg), p = 0.335 ) and HR (77 to 75 (bpm), p = 0.431 ). Acupuncture at GV14 improved CBF velocity. These results could be explained by the regulation of endothelium-dependent vessel dilation effected by acupuncture. This trial is registered with Korean Clinical Trial Registry (http://cris.nih.go.kr; registration number: KCT0004787).

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